Workshops

Workshop Session 1

Saturday, February 18

11:15 a.m.

Cindy Bultema
Workshop: Expanding Your Ministry through Social Online Media

Speaker: Cindy Bultema

Description: Facebook, Twitter and blogs, oh my! Where's a woman's ministry leader to begin? In this session, you'll learn the basic of Facebook, Twitter, blogging and more. Discover if social online media is for you, and if so, how to maximize its use for your ministry purposes. You'll receive resources to get you started, as well as powerful tips to build relationships, stay connected, and reach more people around you through social oline media.

Get to Know Cindy: Cindy Bultema loves the Lord, loves life, loves her family, and loves to celebrate! With over 15 years of experience in ministry, Cindy has trained leaders and created programs within a variety of settings. Cindy is also a Bible teacher, Bible study writer, and popular retreat speaker. Her blog *She Sparkles* was voted one of the Top 100 Christian blogs. Cindy lives in West Michigan with her husband John and their 4 children.

Workshop: The Importance of Prayer in the Life of a Leader

Speaker: Marlae Gritter

Description: Is prayer a task you check off your ‘to do’ list each day or do you desire to experience a life of ongoing, and continual interaction with your heavenly Father? Come and learn prayer principles that will increase your confidence and help you persevere in prayer for yourself and others. Your influence will be directly affected by your praying life.

Get to Know Marlae: Marlae Gritter is the Executive Vice President of Moms In Touch International. Her involvement in this international ministry has given her many opportunities to speak and train around the world. She is passionate about prayer, and powerfully communicates effective methods for developing your personal prayer life. A former teacher, she and her husband Dave have three children.

Lisa Troyer

Workshop: Circle of Friends - Find a Place to Belong

Speaker: Lisa Troyer

Description: Every woman needs "a place to belong." In this session Lisa shares her passion for women's ministry, as well as her passion for a dynamic group of "women helping women" who call themselves the Circle of Friends. Attendees will be inspired to reach the lives of women locally, nationally, and globally, and will catch the vision to be wholly committed to Jesus Christ. With a message of hope, attendees will be reminded that all women have a place to belong in the heart of Christ.

Get to Know Lisa: For more than a decade, Lisa Troyer has endeavored to reach out to women seeking a deeper relationship with God and discovering their place to belong. This desire has been the catalyst for the development of Circle of Friends Ministries and her ministry as a worship leader, songwriter for LifeWay Worship, and program host for Moody Radio. She has recorded companion worship projects for books by Carol Kent and Virelle Kidder. Lisa and her husband Bob have been married for over twenty years and live in Ohio with their two children, Jillian and Christian. Visit www.lisatroyer.com for more information.

Sandra Upston

Workshop: Developing Your Cultural Intelligence (CQ)

Speaker: Dr. Sandra Upton

Description: In today's increasingly global and diverse world, it is important to be aware of your cultural intelligence. Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is a person's cabability to function effectively in a variety of business and ministry situations that are characterized by cultural diversity. CQ is a critical capability that enhances individual and organizational effectiveness. It also enhances interpersonal interactions in a wide range of social contexts. Scripture: "After these things I looked, and behold a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb..." (Rev. 7:9)

Get to Know Sandra: Dr. Sandra Upton is the dean of business programs in the Professional & Graduate Studies Division at Cornerstone University. As a Certified Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Trainer, Dr. Upton has facilitated a number of CQ training and consulting projects with global leaders and organizations from around the world. She also plays an integral leadership role in Cornerstone’s MBA Global Business Experience (GBE), co-leading experiences in Europe, Israel and South Africa. Sandra received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Western Michigan University and her doctorate from Regent University’s School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

Workshop: "Further - Farther"

Speaker: Elisa Morgan, Conference Keynote Speaker

Description: Take the principles of living out your influence one step further in order to go farther in accomplishing God’s purposes. Learn how to recognize, utilize, maximize and mobilize your influence in your world.

Workshop Session 2

Saturday, February 18

1:15 p.m.

Cindy Bultema Workshop: The Captivity of Activity - Pursuing Balance in a Leader's Life

Speaker: Cindy Bultema

Description: Are your weary in well doing? Do you need a little refreshmen for your soul? Come discover how to pursue balance, rest, and wholeness in the midst of life's daily demands. Learn powerful tips on how to stay "filled up" while you pour out to those around you. Discuss potential ministry pitfalls to avoid, as well as how to live "built up" vs. "burnt out." sleve

Workshop: The Holiness of Health

Speaker: Heather Hammond

Description: Learn about healthy living and be inspired to see it as an act of worship and to care for your body and life from a whole-person perspective: food, thoughts, community, prayer, work, rest, and exercise.

Get to Know Heather: Heather Hammond is a writer and speaker on the topic of health and spirituality. She is a certified Health Counselor educated through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC and has worked as an independent health counselor. She holds a bachelor's degree in English with a theatre and education endorsement and has taught both at the high school and collegiate levels. As a freelance writer, she has penned everything from magazine articles to Bible studies to a full-length musical (Finding Home), which debuted in Athens, GA in 2009. Heather's most recent project is a book titled The Holiness of Health: Living a Whole, Healthy Life as an Act of Worship (publisher pending).

Workshop: The Rewarding Joy of Discovering Your Spiritual Gift (s)

Speaker: Donna Fagerstrom

Description: In "The Rewarding Joy of Discovering Your Spiritual Gift(s)" we will explore the excitement of ministry through the gifts of the Spirit. This workshop is also designed to assist you in helping others find their gift. "The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is giving your gift away" (Just Between Us, Katie Davis). Join me, as together we learn through God's word and practical principles the joy of serving Jesus.

Get to Know Donna: Donna was born an identical twin in Holland, Michigan sndcame to personal faith in Christ at the age of five years. Donna and Doug met at age 15 in Holland Youth for Christ. Both were involved in music, a weekly radio broadcast and an overseas mission trip. Donna and Doug Married in 1972 (currently celebrating 39 years of marriage). They both attended Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan for their undergraduate programs. After seven years of marriage, God performed a miracle and blessed Donna and Doug with their daughter Darci, born in 1979, a priceless gift from the Lord

Donna and Doug have had the privilege and opportunity to serve in the pastorate for 31 years in Michigan, Colorado and Minnesota. Areas of ministry have included women's ministries, youth ministry, single adult ministry, personal discipleship-mentoring, and a significant music ministry. Donna has served in ministry as a preschool teacher, worship leader, author, speaker and numerous conference and leadership roles.

Over the last 30 years, Donna has lead worship for "Speak Up with Confidence Seminars", Annual Coffee Break Conference and 20 years at Calvary Church. From 2003-2009 Donna was the "First Lady" providing encouragement and leadership at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, where her husband was the President. Currently Donna serves alongside her husband as they travel throughout the USA and other countries to provide leadership and oversight to Converge Worldwide, a national and international church planting and church growth movement

Donna would be quick to say, "There is JOY in serving Jesus and others."

Workshop: Discipleship in the Digital Age

Speaker: Nate Clason

Description: You've already been warned about the ills of the world wide web. We'll talk about how new computer technologies and virtual social networking can positively contribute to relationships that result in continued spiritual transformation. In addition, we'll discuss some of the unique characteristics of "Digital Natives" (born after 1980).

Get to Know Nate: Nate Clason serves as the Associate Dean of Students at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and teaches in the area of Educational Ministries. In addition, he is completing a PhD at Michigan State University and teaches in the online M.A. Education program. His research at MSU includes inquiry into "Adult Learning in the Digital Age."

Marla Workshop: Once upon a God: Reviving the Art of Storytelling Through Scripture and Witness.

Speaker: Marla Rotman

Description: Before the Bible was the ‘written’ word of God, scripture was passed verbally from generation to generation through the art of storytelling. Crowds gathered to hear the history of God’s people; stories their ancestors told of God’s redeeming love, lessons in living through the great commandments, testimonies of restoration, healing, miraculous interventions, and parables aimed at guiding and instructing. What the ancient Israelites understood is that the stories of the people are actually the story of God’s great love. As children of the covenant, God’s story continues through us. Join Marla Rotman as she demonstrates how a whale, a girl and bleeding woman evidence the restorative love of God through the art of storytelling.

Get to Know Marla: Marla Rotman is a Masters of Divinity student in her final year at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. She enjoys preaching, speaking and storytelling for churches, conferences, retreats and camps. Marla’s husband, Tim, is the senior pastor at Vriesland Reformed Church. Together they have three boys who light up their life and keep them in stitches. Caleb is thirteen and in middle school. Ezekiel is ten and in 4th grade and Sawyer is eight years old in the 2nd grade. She and her family live in Zeeland with their two dogs and one cat. Marla is also a certified Spiritual Director and campus ministry intern at Grand Valley State University. You can reach her anytime via email at marlaroserotman@gmail.com.